System of manufacturing shoes



June 21, 1932'.

Dlt/IDE D Coni/Yams M. O. FROST SYSTEM 0F MANUFACTURING SHOES Filed Aug. 24, 1951 -5 Sheds-Sheet l ASTE/RS PHC/ns m @fem/v.

June 21, 1932.

aww/YEL UFE/VER M. o. FROST SYSTEM OF MANUFACTURING SHOES Filed Aug. 24, 1951 CEMENTEE DIV/DED I @Nl/Ero .LEVELEF -sneets-sheei 2 FEMTE/ June 21, 1932. M. Q FROST 1,863,557

SYSTEM OF MANUFACTURING SHOES 'Filed Aug. 24, 1951 3 shees-sheet 3 @E mf I CUI/EHS HFPL/ED (90E [SL60 Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MYRON O. FROST, OF RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MISSOURI, .ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON, STEPHENSY AND SHINKLE SHOE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF Missoula:

SYSTEM OF MANUFACTURING SHOES- Appueation .mea August 24, 1931. serial No. 558,922.

This invention relates generally to a .method -of manufacturing shoes, and particularly to alasting system, a preparing system and a bottoming system each of which sys.

ftem is so arranged and coordinated that the manufacture of shoes is expedited.

This invention is a continuation in part f my U. S. patent application for system of manufacturing shoes, Serial No. 530,266, filed 1o Apr. 15, 1931.

It has heretofore been the practice in shoe factories that each operator at a station beprovided with an entire rack which generally constituted a case of shoes, and it was the duty of the operator to perform his particular operation upon every shoe of the rack before the rack proceeded to position for the next succeeding operation. With a system of this sort, it is apparent thatnot only is a 2Q great amount of floor space of the usual shoe factory. occupied with racks of idle shoes, but also that a great many cases of shoes are tied up during the course of manufacture in View of the fact that even of those racks pou sitioned for operation, there are substantially few being operated yupon at any particular time.

It\is an object of this invention generally stated to provide a system of manufacturing shoes in which the various operators stations are so arranged and coordinated that shoes may proceed immediately from one operator to the next, thus eliminating the disadvantage pointed out above with reference to idle shoes occupying the floor space in the factory and the delay encountered in the course of manufacture in accordance with the accepted method.

Among the objectsjof this invention is to provide a system of manufacturing sh-oes in which the shoes are proceeded individually to successive operators. v

.A further object of this invention is to provide an arrangement of lasters in which the numberof stations for performing slow lasting operations is substantially greater than the number of stations for accomplishing rapid operations.

Another object of this invention is to pro-` vide a solelaying system in .which the num A lasting those skilled in the art when the following suit-able devices are Ipreferably provided for ber of operators stations is determined in acc ordance with the periodof time required for effecting the respective operations.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a preparing system intermediate the and sole laying system in which the shoes may be progressed individually.

' become Aapparent to Other obJects will description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which c- Figure 1 is ya diagrammatical plan view ,showing arrangement of operators stations and machines and a lasting department as well as a lasted shoe preparing department of a shoe factory.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatioal plan view showing a system of arrangement of operative stations in a sole laying department.

Figure-3 is a diagrammatical plan view 70 showing a lasting system of slightly modified form.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatical plan view l showing modified arrangement of operative. stations in a sole laying department of a'shfoe factory. v

Generally stated in accordance with this invention the number of machines or operators stations for performingthe same opera,- tion is varied in accordance with the time required forleifecting such operations and accordingly as for instance in 'a lasting system there are provided series of stations for accomplishing the various operations, there bel ing more stations for accomplishing the end or bedlasting than assembling stations in view of the fact that the end lasting operation is relatively slow, whereas an assembler operates with substantial rapidity.y Similarly in the shoe preparing and bottoming departments, the number of operators is regulated in accordance with the average time required- 'for their `respective operations and transporting the shoes individually or in small groups upon the completion of the operations at one station in order to avoid th l unnecessary delays which were occasioned in .accordance with the prior practice by sta- 10-o `the present instance upon reaching the position indicated at 1 will consist of the last generally having the insole tacked thereto and the corresponding uppers although not in assembled relation. The rack 1 may be moved into position adjacent one of a series of assemblers 2 or. may in fact be distributed among the series of assemblers, it being understood that the series is not necessarily limited to the one shown in the drawings and that the number of operators in any series hereinafter referred to may be varied in' accordance with the operating conditions of the factory. The assembler 2 assembles the united upper upon the last and upon completion of this operation, the partially assembled shoes are deposited by the assembler 2 in suitable chutes or conveyors 3 which operate to transport the shoes to the pulling station 4 where the usual pulling over operation is performed.

r1`he lasting system comprising the illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 1 -is adapted particularly for the production of shoes of a modified McKay type and in the particular factory illustrated, the uppers are cemented tothe .insole after the pulling over operation and the lasting tacks are subsequently, Vafter the cement has had sufficient time to set, removed before the bottoms are applied. It is to be distinctly understood, however that although the system of arrangement shown in Figure 1 is designed especially to produce such shoes as that just referred to, the system is not limited to these specific details, and it is apparent that the cementing step may be eliminated when so desired, as

may also the various tack pullers such as for instance in the manufacture of shoes of the McKay type.

Stationed adjacent the pullers 4 are a series of cementers 5 whose duty it is to apply cement tothe over lasted portion of the upper along the forepa'rt but it may be pointedout that in view of the fact that the pulling over operation is a more rapid operation than for instance the side lasting operation it is sometimes possible for the pulling operator to apply the cement in view of the fact that he has suiiicient surplus time. In some instances, however, such variation from the system illustrated'in Figure 1 is precluded by labor conditions. Upon completion of the pulling operation at station 4, the shoes may be deposited by the outside pullers 4 into suitable chutes 6 by which they may be moved into position convenient for the cementer 5. In view of the fact that the center puller 4 is disposed in a position where he. may conveniently pass the completed work to the cementer 5, such chuteslor conveyors 6 from this station'are not necessary. With reference particularly to the intermediate or center puller 4, it may be pointed out that in order to divide the work with substantial equality between the series of cementers 5 the intermediate puller 4 may pass one pair of shoes to one cementer 5 and the next pair of shoes to the other cementer 5, while the outside pullers pass their entire output to the same cementer 5. Thus the work stations are arranged in accordance with .their relative capacities. Suitable chutes vor conveyors 7 are preferably provided for conveying the cemented work from thecementers 5 to a series of side lasters l8 which are in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 arranged substantially in a row of three side lasters and in view of the fact that there are provided but two cementing stations it is apparent that the problem of dividing the work accurately among the three side lasters 8 arises. In order to divide the output of the cementers 5 with substantial equality between the series of side lasters 8 each of the cementers 4 may deposit 2 pairs of shoes in the chute or conveyor leading to the outside side laster of the series and the next single pair in the chute leading to the intermediate or center side laster so that in this way upon the completion of each three pairs of shoes by the cementers each of the individual side lasters is provided with two such pairs.

Upon the completion of the usual side lasting operation at the station of the side lasters 8, the intermediate or center side laster divides his work between a series of end or bed lasters 9-10, it being understood that` the end lasting operation requires considerably more time than does the side lasting operation and especially'is this true in the case of the illustrated embodiment in which it is necessary for the end lasters to apply cement at the toe portion. The intermediate side laster may conveniently divide his Work between the end lasters 9-10, by for instance passing the left shoes to end laster 9 and the right shoes to end laster 10. Upon the performance of the required operations by the end lasters 9-10 the lasted shoes may be deposited upon a suitable conveyor as 11 'by which they are transported to a position convenient to an inspector or other suitable operator 12, who' may examine the shoes and deposit the same upon a rack or other suitable device 13, it being .understood that the lasting operations for these particular shoes are now complete.

Referring now to the output of the outside side lasters of the series 8, the operators may upon completion of their work deposit the v same upon a suitable conveyor such as a chute 14 extended on the outside of the end lasting machines 9 and 10 as illustrated in Figure 1. In view of the fact that the shoes produced by the system of constituting the illustrative embodiment of this invention shown in Figure 1 at this station have tacks in the bottom portions protruding slightly therefromI since the tacks are to be consequently drawn, it is preferable that a suitable device be provided for conveying the shoes with the extending tacks in such position that the conveyor will not be damaged thereby and that there will be no possibility of the tacks' being accidently withdrawn. After the side lasting work has been deposited upon the conveyors 14 and has moved toward the rear of the system the right shoes may be removed therefrom by either of the end lasters 15 while the left shoes may be removed therefrom by either of the end lasters 16, it being appajrent that there is provided a pair of end lasters for receiving the entire output of each of the outside side lasters 8. Upon completion of the work by the end lasters 16, the same may readily be deposited upon the conveyor or chute 11 by which it will be conducted to a position convenient to an operator l2 in the same manner as the output of the end lasters 9-10. As to the disposition of the output of end lasters 15, however, it is apparent that they are so disposed that the output thereof may be conveniently passed across to the inspector 12 without necessitating the provision of a l conveyor although it is apparent that a suit- This d able chute, table, or other device may be resorted to if necessary.

After the rack 13 or other suitable device has been completely filled with lastedshoes, the same may be moved into position within a suitable drier such as 17 which may be and preferably is provided with suitabley mechanism for gradually moving the racks such as 13 filled withjshoes therethrough in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. vrying operation is eii'ective to set the cement which has been applied by the cementers at 5 and some of which had been applied by the end lasters 9-10, 15-16.

As the racks 13 emerge from the drier 17 the cement will be suiiiciently set to permit the lasting tacks 'or' the temporary fasteners to be removed therefrom' and accordingly the racks may be removed into positions such as 18 adjacent a series of tack pullers 19 or the shoes may be otherwise conveniently delivered to the tack pullers asis desired. Operating adjacent the series of tack pullers 19 suitable chute or conveyor 2l may be provided for receiving the work from the tack pullers and transporting the same in the direction ofthe arrows where it may be removed by either of a series of trimmers 22. rrhe function of the trimmers is, of course,

such as 23 extending longitudinally thereof whereby the various cases of shoes may be maintained in segregation while being transported and in this way separate cases of shoes pass through the hands 'of the respective trimmers 22.

Upon completion of the -trimming operations at 22, thc shoes may be delivered to a series of pounders 24,'-who further prepare the same for reception of the bottom. Suitable chutes or conveyors'25 may be provided operating Vadjacent the pounders 24 for transporting the shoes to a position convenient for distribution upon suitable driers 26. lt may be pointed out, however, that the driers 26 may be provided adjacent one of the pounders 24 whereby the pounders may upon completion of the work deposit the same upon the drier 26 which is preferably of a conveyorv type so arranged that work may be inserted therein on one side and removed therefrom on the other the speed of the dryer being so regulated that the shoes are properly tempered upon being removed.

After passing through the driers 26, the respective racks of shoes may be iremoved therefrom by one of a seri-es of ironers 27 whose duty-it is to iron the uppers, especially` a suitable conveyor as 28 by which they will` be transported to a series of shank tackers29 who may apply a shank stiffener and filler to the shank portion of the shoe.` Upon completion of the operations of the shank tackers 29' the shoes may be deposited upon a rack or other suitable device such as 30.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings they rack 30 lasted and prepared shoes may be moved from the department illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawingsy and the shoes carried by such rack may be divided among a group of sole layers 31, whose operations consist in further wiping the uppers over the last,` particularly in the region of the shank portion and temporarily attaching thereto while the overlasted upper is thus held in position an outsole as well as delasting the shoes. It

bearing the l will be apparent that such operations require i a substantial time and accordingly it has been found that the sole lasters 31 may be eiicient- Figure 2. Operating adjacent the sole layers 31 and extending therebetween a suitable conveying device such as forinstance a belt conveyor 32 may be provided. Upon the completion of work by the sole layers 31 the work and a last which has been removed therefrom may be deposited upon the conveyor .32 which is operative to move the work in the direction indicated by the arrow.'` Conveniently position-ed adjacent the conveyor 32 a stitcher 33 may be provided and it will be apparent that when the work produced by the sole layers 31 has been transported a sufficient distance to reach the stitcher 33, he may remove they same from the conveyor 32 and using a stitch-er such as for instance of the McKay type, stitch the outsole through the overlasted upper and insole. The stitcher 33 need not, however, disrupt the lasts which were deposited by the sole layer 31 upon the belt 32 since a box or bin 34 may be disposed adjacent the conveyor 32 so that upon reaching the end thereof the lasts conveyed thereby will fall directly into the box or bin 34. From an inspection of Figure 2, it is apparent that a duplicate unit to that just described and comprising a group of sole layers, whose work is collectively fed to an individual stitcher, is provided adjacent thereto and generally designated as 35. The stitcher 33, as well as a corresponding stitcher of the unit 35 deposits the completed work uponA a suitable chute or conveyor 36 which delivers the same in a position convenient to tack puller 37, whose duty it is to remove the tem- 'porary securing tacks which were applied by the sole layers 31. In view of the fact that such tack pulling operation is an extremely rapid one, it is found that a single tack puller as 37 is capable of handling the entire output not only of stitcher 33 but of the corresponding stitcher in unit 35.y f

After the temporary securing devices have beenremoved by the tack puller 37, the work proceeds from stitcher 33 and may be deposited upon conveyor or chute 38 at one side of the central partition 39 thereof while the work proceeding from unit y35 may ,be deposited thereupon on the other side of the partition 39, thus maintaining the respective cases of shoes in segregation. The conveyor or chute 38 operates to deliver the work to the station of a relaster 40 who inserts the last Within the shoe an'd deposits the same on a suitable chute or conveyor 41 preferably provided With a divided partition as 42 in order that the respective cases may be maintained in segregation. The conveyor or chute 41 transports the shoes to a position convenient to a cementer 43 who applies a coating of cement to the channel and channel flap and deposits the same upon a suitable drier such as 44. In order to maintain the respective cases of shoes in segregation on the drier 44,

.the same may be provided with a medial channel to properly set and upon reaching the other end of the drier 44, the sho-es maybe removed therefrom by an operator stationed at 45 who may preliminarily lay down the channel flap along the shank portion in order to adapt the shoe for ready reception by the usual channel closing machine to which they will proceed through a conveyor or chute 46, preferably provided with a center dividing partition 47 which. will deliver the same in a position convenient for the channel closer 48. After the channels have been closed by the closer 48, the shoes may be deposited upon a suitable conveying device such as for instance 49 for transporting the shoes to the next succeeding department.

It may be pointed out that there may be provided any number of units such as that described in detail, for instance duplicate unit 35; and as is apparent from an inspection of Figure 2 there are provided two such additional units illustrated in part and designated as 50 and l'respectively, each of which it will' be understood, comprise a group of sole layers and a stitcher and each pair of which is provided with a tack puller for handling the entire output of both units. With particular reference to units 50 and 51, a slightly different form of drier 52 is provided in lieu of the type generally illustrated at 44 and it is apparent, therefore, Athat any suitable type of drying mechanism may be employed in connection with the system of this invention. A channel closer 520 operating in connectionA with thev sole laying units 50 and 51 may deposit the output of these units upon a suitable conveyer or chute 53 by which the work may be transported to the next succeeding department of the shoe factory as is illustrated generally in Figure 2. lt is apparent, therefore that the conveyor 49 as Well as the chute or conveyor 53 operates to transport the output of the bottoming system described to position convenient to a series of levelers 54 which may as illustrated in the drawings be disposed in a different room of the shoe factory,the same being separated from' the bottoming system just described by a wall 55 of the building, as is illustrated generally in the ligure.

Referring now-particularly to Figure 3, a

modified arrangement of lasters is shown.

which may be particularly adapted to the manufacture of shoes of the McKay type. A. rack 60 conveying a suitable number of lasts having the insoles applied thereto and having provided along therewith a correspondlng number of united uppers may be dissob posed among a series of assemblers 61` or an' rapidity there are in the illustrated embodi# ment provided with two such assemblers and two such pullers, but the remaining lasting operations require considerably more time than the assembling and pulling operations and for this reason the number of'side lasters provided is greater than the number of pullers and likewise the number of end or bed .lasters provided is greater than the number of side lasters. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 there is provided a series of side lasters 64, comprising 3 operators and machines so that the problem of equally distributing the output of the series of pullers among the 3 side lasters arises. Such equal distribution, of course may be accomplished y causing each of the pullers 63 to deposit two pairs of shoes upon completion of his operations in chute such as 65for delivery to the outside side lasters to every one pair deposited in chute 66 for delivery to the center or intermediate side laster of the series 64. In this manner it is apparent that upon the completion of every three pairs of shoes by each will be delivered to each of the side ,lasters of series 64.

A series of bed or end lasters is provided and in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings the series is arranged as three groups 67, 68 and 69, each group comprising in the illustrated embodiment two operators with machines, and it may be pointed out that one operator of each group may perform the required lasting operations upon right shoes while the other operator of the same 'group may perform the lasting operation upon the left shoes. In the illustrated embodiment shown in Figure 3, the intermediate or center side laster 64 is disposed in such a position that his output may be transported to a suitable chute or conveyor 70 to a position convenient for the respective end or bed lasters of group 67, who upon completion of their lasting operations may deposit the same upon a suitable conveyor as 71 for transportation toward an operation station 72 where the lasted shoes may be inspected and placed upon a suitable rack or other conveying device such as for instance 73.

While the output of the intermediate side laster of series 64 is proceeding as just deof the operators 63 two pairs of shoes scribed, the output of the outside side lasters of the series 64 proceeds through chutes or conveyors 74 to end laster groups 68 and 69 respectively, the operators of which as pointed out above preferably each operating upon shoes corresponding to right and left feet. Upon completion of the lasting operations at the end lasters groups 68 and 69, the output thereof may be deposited upon suitable conveyor 7l and disposed of as was the output of group 67. Itis, of course, apparent that any number of lasting systems may be provided in a shoe factory, the combined output of which may upon completion be racked as described and a rack corresponding to rack 73 or other suitable conveying device moved into a suitable drier as 7 5 within which the shoes may be permitted to remain for'suicient time A suitable chute or conveyor 77 may be provided for transporting the output of such of the poundersas are not disposed in convenient position for passing the same to the series of ironers 78. A suitable chute or conveyor 79, which may for instance be of the belt conveyor type, preferably operating between the ironers 78 in position to'conveniently receive work therefrom and transporting the same to the station of a series of operators 80 whose duty it is to apply the usual protecting covers to such shoes as require it. In the event, however, that the cases of shoes passed through the factory are not of the delicate type which require the application of such covers, the same may proceed without interruption to the station of a series. of shank tackers 81 who may apply the usual shank reinforcing device and the usual iiller.`

outsoles to the shoes and deposit the same upon a suitable chute'or conveyor such as 85 which is preferably superimposed above that portion of conveyor 82 which extends toward the most remote sole tacker of series 84. The chute 85 is, however, preferably so positioned that each of the sole taclzers of series 84 may deposit their work therein.

The chute or conveyor 85 delivers the work with the outsole temporarily attached to a series of delasters 86, where the lasts are removed and the shoes deposited upon a suitable conveyor such as 87 for transportation to the series of stitchers 88 who may as in the illustrated embodiment be each provided with a stitching machine such as for instance of the McKay type.

After the outsoles have been stitched in position by the series of stitchers 88 the shoes may be deposited upon a suitable chute such as 89, preferably provided with a divided partition as 90 in order to maintain the individual cases of shoes in segregation. The chute 89 is preferably positioned in overlapping relation to the conveyor 87 for a short distance, in order that the former may receive work from the forward pair of stitchers while the latter may deliver work to the rearward pair of stitchers.

The chute 89 operates to convey the shoes to a series of relasting stations 91 where the shoes are again lasted and deposited upon one of the conveyors 92 `for delivery to one of a series of cementing stations 93.

At stations 93 a coating of cement'is applied to the outsole above the channel portion and the shoes are then positioned upon suitable driers, such as for instance 94, which are preferably of the conveying type and in which the speed. thereof is so regulated that the cement applied at 93 has sufficient time to set before the shoes are brought into position for removal from the driers by one of the series of operators 95.-

The operator 95, upon removal of the shoes from the drier turns down or closes the channel flap and may deposit the same in suitable racks or upon a suitable conveyor for transportation to the next succeeding department of the shoe factory, which in the present instance will be the levelers.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a system of manufacturing shoes has been described in which the Vshoes are proceeded individually throughout the various systems and the various systems are so arranged and coordinated that the course of manufacturing shoes is substantially continuous as distinguished from the previous practice in which long delays are occasioned by reason-of the fact that ordinarily an entire rack of shoes has been provided adjarcent the operating station of each individual operator and that by provision of the various, conveying devices, such as for instance the chutes and belt conveyors as well as the conveying driers, it is apparent that the available ioor space of a shoe factory may be .made use of in a more practical manner than by merely providing a storage space for the usual racks as has been the practice heretofore.

From the above it is apparent that by- 5 means of this invention parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies are progressed to successive work stations, said stations being arranged in series-shunt relation in accordance with their relative capacities. A series relation is intended to be one wherein assembly units of work leave an anterior station and all proceed according to a predetermined path to a single posterior station; whereas by a shunt arrangement is intended one wherein assembly units of work either diverge according to predetermined paths from one anterior station to multiple posterior stations, and/or converge according to predetermined paths from multiple anterior stations and to a single posterior station. The conveyors referred to herein may be of the belt or chute type, for example. These are exemplary of different means for predeterminately guiding shoe material froml station to station.

In this specification reference has been had to various machines or devices designated in accordance with the loperations they are to perform; such as assemblers, pullers, lasters, etc; Such machines are well known andn common use in various shoe factories and are illustrated in various catalogues, as well as' patents, to which reference need not be had in order to enable those skilled in the art to obtain a full disclosure of the system embodying this invention. In man. cases the various operations may be per ormed by hand and in some cases are performed by hand. Thus, assemblin pulling and even lasting operations may ie performed by hand and in the case of shank tacking and relasting and even delasting, lthose operations are frequently, and, in the case of shanktacking, usually, performed by hand. It is,therefore, to be understood that where any operation is .referred to it contemplates not only a machine but also a station at vwhich an operator may be positioned in the system to perform the o eration.

In igure 2 reference has been had to machines indicated. at 31. These machines may be of any suitable construction to perform the desired operation. Machines suitable for this purpose are those disclosed in Patent Nos. 1,839,445 and 1,839,446, granted January 5, 1932. A process for the employment of those machines in the particular environment is illustrated in Patenty No. 1,749,926 granted March 11, 1930. Additional embodiments of such a process are disclosed in applications Serial No. 349,104 filed March 22, 1929, and Serial No. 530,266 filed April 15, 1931. From the foregoing description, it is apparent that many modications of the system hereinbefore described and illustrated in`I the accompanying drawings will present themselves to those skilled in the art which will -ranged serially with set forth, and that such modifications and the use of such individual features and sub-combination of features as the spirit of this invention are, although not specifically described'herein, contemplated by and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. The art of making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged in series-shunt relation in accordance with their relative capacities, and that the assemblies are conveyed from a selected anterior station and guided directly to and distributed between several selected posterior stations.

2. The art of making shoes in which the parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged in series-shunt relation in accordance with their relative capacities, and that the assemblies are conveyed from several selected anterior stations and guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected posterior station. I

3. The art of making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged in series-shuntl relation in accordance with their relative capacities, that the assemblies are conveyed from selected anterior stations and guided directly to a selected posterior station and that the assemblies are conveyed from said selected posterior station, guided directly, and distributed to other selected posterior stations.

4. The art o f making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged serially with certain stations performing the same operation arranged transverse of the series, and that the assemblies are conveyed from a selected station and guided directly to and distributed between the transversely arranged stations.

5. The art of making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arcertain stations performing the same operationarranged transverse of the series,

and that the assemblies are conveyed from the transversely arranged do not depart from stations and guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected station.

6. The art of making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies progressed from an anterior station to a numi ber of posterior stations where the same opel'- ations are performed, characterized by the feature that the posterior stations are arranged in shunt relation to the anterior station in 'accordance with the relative capacities of the stations, and that Vthe assemblies are deposited on conveying means by which they are transported' from the anterior station directly to and distributed between the selected posterior stations.

7. The art of making shoes in which parts of shoes are assembled and the assemblies` progressed from a number of. anterior stations where certain operationsfare performed to a posterior station, characterized bythe feature that the anterior -stations are arranged in shunt relation to the posterior station in 'accordance with the relative capacities ofthe stations, and that the assemblies are deposited on conveying means by which they are transported from the anterior stations directly in a plurality of paths tothe selected posterior station.

8. The art of making shoes in which uppers 4 are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature Vthat the stations are arranged in series-shunt relation in accordance with their relative capacities, and that the uppers and lasts are K conveyed from aselected anterior station and guided directly to and distributed between several selected posterior stations.

9. The art of making shoes in which the uppersare assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged in seriesshunt relation in accordance with their relative capacities, and that'the uppers and lasts are conveyed from several selected anterior stations and guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected posterior station.

10. The art of making shoes'in which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized 'by the feature that the stations are arranged seriallyl with certain stations performing the same operation arranged transverse of the series, and that the uppers and lasts are conveyed from a selected station and guided directly to anddistributed between the transversely arranged stations.

11. The art of making shoes in which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are arranged serially with certain stations performing the same operation arranged transverse of the series,

and that the uppers'and lasts are conveyed from the transversely arranged stations and guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected station.

12, The art of making shoes in which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations Where successive operations are performed, characterized by thel feature that the stations are in groups arranged serially, With the stations of each group performing the same operation, and that the uppers and lasts are conveyed from a selected station of an anterior group and' uided directly to and distributed between selected stations of a posterior group.

13. The art of making shoes in which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations Where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are in groups arranged serially, with the stations of each group performing the same' operation, and that the uppers and lasts are conveyed from selected stations of an anterior group and guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected station of a posterior group.

14. The art of making shoes 1n which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations Where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are vin groups arranged serially, With the stations of each group performing the said operation arranged transverse of the series, and that they uppers and lasts are conveyed in streams from station to station along the series, with uppers and lasts anterior group guided directly to and distributed between selected stations of a posterior group.

1 5. The art of making shoes in which uppers are assembled on lasts and progressed to successive stations Where successive operations are performed, characterized by the feature that the stations are in groups arranged serially, with the stations of each group performing the same operation arranged transverse of the` series, and that the uppers and lasts are conveyed in streams from station to station along the series, with uppers and lasts from selected stations of an anterior group guided directly in a plurality of paths to a selected station of a posterior group.

In testimony whereof, I afx my signature this 27 day of July, 1931. Y

. MYRON O. FROST.

from a selected station of an 

